The difference a year makes

Sep 08, 2012

I have my one year anniversary coming up, and it is making me look back on where I was a year ago, and where I am now.

Here is some perspective for those of you who might read this...

When I started my journey, my starting numbers are below:

 

	Start	End	Difference
Weight	400.5	252.2	148.3
Waist	57	36	21
Neck	17	12.75	4.25
Bicep	18.5	12.5	6
Forearm	13.5	9	4.5
Chest	50	37	13
Hips	72	50	22
Thigh	36	25	11
Calf	21	17	4
			85.75

Can you believe I have lost almost TWO FEET from my HIPS?!?!?!?!  Almost 150 pounds... SIX inches from my biceps!! The numbers are staggering... I have lost 7 feet from my body -do you know how much clothing that equates to???

Speaking of clothing... When I started out, I wore a size 38 pants - LADIES - A SIZE 38!!!! That is HUGE. Today, I can wear an 18 or a 20, depending on the style. I wear a size Large shirts... I used to wear a 5X.

My life is different now... I am able to work out, walking from one end of the building at work to the other doesnt tire me out. I enjoy doing things now... walking around at the mall, working, taking my kids for a stroll... Things dont tire me out, or hurt me anymore. My feet dont hurt in the mornings... 

This surgery didnt make my life all sunshine and roses - my relationship isnt perfect, and we have struggled. We are struggling now, and I dont know if we will make it. I do know that I will continue to do what I want to do, and continue to be active in life. I am no longer going to sit and watch as life passes me by. I have spent too much time doing that, and need to be happy. I deserve to be happy. 

Anyone considering this surgery should be prepared for the changes it brings. Not only the physical, but the emotional as well. The feelings of inadequacy when you stall, the stress of not having clothes to wear, the changes that happen enmotionally as you face the fact that people now see YOU. They dont overlook you because of your weight - people notice you. That is the hardest part of all of this for me. The attention... men pay more attention to me, ask me out, hit on me all the time, and even the ones who know me, talk to me more now. Before, they blew me off, or were just polite - now, they are spending more time talking to me and even hitting on me. It can be odd to get all of this attention and sometimes, I dont know how to handle it. 
Its not always easy - it is hard. I used to think, "I dont care how hard it is - I will be SKINNY! Everything will be better!!" ... its not. Things are hard. I never had to worry about men hitting on me, or having to be concerned when I went places that people were going to pay attention to me. Now, everywhere I go, people actually dont pretend I dont exist. People hold doors for me. They look me in the eye - they dont avoid me. 

Time to go do my Insanity workout!!!

0 Comments